Golf Club Head Cover for Irons and Wedges

ABSTRACT

A head cover that provides protection for golf club irons and wedges and includes a positive locking mechanism. Multi-piece design of the present invention emulates the contours of the face, back, sole, crown, toe, and heel of irons and wedges as well as providing a tab comprised of positive and negative magnetic clasps for securely locking the head cover to the golf club. Back and face panels extend to provide protection for the hosel and ferrule. The wear pad located at the joining point of the base, back, and face panel gives strength to the location where they are attached. An integral anti-slip feature aids head cover security. The invention achieves a positive lock using a mechanism comprised of a tab with a magnetic clasp that prevents the head cover from falling off. A multi-layer binding design with topstitching is implemented.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for golf club hosel and ferrule protection design,incorporating a positive locking mechanism, to aid in the protection andsecurity, and contoured to the loft and lie of irons and wedges that isaesthetically appealing with easily identifiable enumeration. Golf clubhead covers are primarily designed for fairway woods: driver, 3 wood, 5wood, etc. There are a scarce number of head covers for irons and wedgesand even fewer head covers designed to match the contoured shape ofirons and wedges. A head cover with multi piece construction can beeasily manufactured and used without complicated locking mechanism andprovide for a secure form fit.

None of the existing head covers include protection for the hosel andferrule. These designs: (1) do not include a magnetic clasp positivelocking mechanism; (2) do not match the loft and lie of irons andwedges; (3) do not provide an anti-slip mechanism; and (4) do not followthe contours of the face, the back, the sole, the toe, the heel and thecrown of irons and wedges.

Existing attachment mechanisms and locking means are ineffective, heavy,and difficult to use or fail to improve the overall design andfunctionality of the head cover. Functionality problems result from theincorporation of zippers, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners andinterlocking wedges made of plastic and rubber. The use of these lockingmechanisms prevents the head cover from matching the loft and lie ofirons and wedges.

Prior designs only provide protection for the face and back of irons andwedges while leaving the hosel and ferrule unprotected. 66716A is a“single sheet of fabric-like material.” The preferred embodiment ofUSD446270S1 (Expired Aug. 7, 2015) does not cover the hosel and ferruleand there is no magnetic positive locking mechanism. One embodiment ofthe invention uses “hook & loop” closure but still does not cover hoseland ferrule. The preferred embodiment of USRE35596E (Expired Dec. 28,2013), does not cover hosel & ferrule, the device merely covers the headof the club. The preferred embodiment U.S. Pat. No. 3,478,799A (ExpiredNov. 18, 1986) is merely a plastic cover for the head of an iron, butdoes not offer protection for the hosel and ferrule.

Prior designs that attempt to match the loft and lie of irons and wedgesare prone to fall off or slip off during normal use and storage.Incorporating a metallic tab and magnetic clasp like the U.S. Pat. No.4,021,891A Magnetic Lock Closure, ensure that the cover stays in place.U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,222A cannot provide a secure closure because it usesa hook and loop closure and is made to fit vastly different shaped clubheads, in putters and irons. The use of hook-and-loop fabric fastenersattempts to match the loft and lie of each club but isn't fixed duringoperation.

Prior designs are specifically made for either drivers or putters. Thepreferred embodiments of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,898,222A, 3,117,609A,US20050016648A1 (Application) are all designed to match the shape, loftand lie of drivers and fairway woods. That means those devices areneither intended for nor suitable to be used with irons. The preferredembodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,399A Club head cover/case fordrivers/woods that interacts with a tube in a golf bag to keep the clubsat the same height level within the bag. The preferred embodiment ofUS20090242089A1 (Expires Apr. 13, 2028), is a putter cover “with snapclosure” similar to the positive locking mechanism, however thepreferred embodiment relies on the “cover cavity” to secure the clubhead rather than the “snap closure.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention combines protection for theface, back, hosel and ferrule of irons and wedges with a contourmatching design and positive locking mechanism. The multi piece designof the preferred embodiment of the invention emulates the contours ofthe face, back, sole, crown, toe and heel of irons and wedges andincludes a magnetic clasp for securely locking the head cover to thegolf club.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is composed of a back panel,face panel, and base. The dimensions and proportions of the panelscreate a contoured assembly that closely resembles the irons and wedgesit protects. Back and face panels extend to provide protection for thehosel and ferrule of irons and wedges. An alternate embodiment of theinvention combines the back and face panels into one piece, simplifyingthe manufacture and assembly of the club head cover. A second alternateembodiment of the invention allows its use for left and right handedgolf club irons and wedges.

Security and protection of the head cover is achieved through thepositive locking mechanism and anti-slip feature of the invention. Thepositive locking mechanism is composed of a tab, with a magnetic clasp.A positive lock is achieved because the tab is attached to the backpanel when wrapped around and engaged with the part of the claspattached to the face panel. This positive lock prevents the inventionfrom falling off of the iron or wedge golf club.

The security and protection that the anti-slip feature provides is anintegral part of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Where theback panel, face panel, base panel and binding meet to cover the crownof an iron or wedge the additional layers of construction form a tightseal to the golf club reducing any slippage between the invention andgolf club during use and storage.

Durability of the invention is achieved through a wear pad located atthe rear joining edges of the base panel, back panel, and face panel.The wear pad created strengthens the location where the three panels areattached to each other. To protect the body of the invention during theinsertion and withdrawal of the iron or wedge, a topstitched multi-layerbinding design is added. The binding gives an added layer of protectionto the iron or wedge above its hosel and ferrule.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is a positive locking, secure,and protective head cover for irons and wedges that follows the loft andlie angles of a golf club while protecting the face, back, hosel andferrule of irons and wedges. The features of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention prevent it from falling off of the golf club headresulting in a secure and protective head cover for irons and wedges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back panel (right side) view of the invention illustrating agolf club head cover for irons and wedges with a golf club wedgeinserted inside and the positive locking mechanism in place. The viewshows the golf club enumeration.

FIG. 2 is a face panel (left side) view of the invention illustrating agolf club head cover for irons and wedges with a golf club wedgeinserted inside and the positive locking mechanism in place.

FIG. 3 is a face panel (left side) view of the invention illustrating agolf club head cover for irons and wedges with the positive lockingmechanism unlatched.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the invention illustrating a golf club headcover for irons and wedges with a golf club wedge inserted inside andthe positive locking mechanism in place.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the invention illustrating a golf club headcover for irons and wedges with a golf club wedge inserted inside andthe positive locking mechanism in place. The view shows the gusset andseparate back and face panels.

FIG. 6 is a face panel (left side) view of the invention illustrating agolf club head cover for irons and wedges with a golf club iron insertedinside and the positive locking mechanism in place. The view shows thehosel and ferrule protection.

FIG. 7 is a back panel (right side) view of the invention illustrating agolf club head cover for irons and wedges with a golf club iron insertedinside and the positive locking mechanism in place. The view shows thegolf club enumeration.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the invention illustrating the alternatemethod of construction a golf club head cover for irons and wedges witha golf club iron inserted inside. The view shows the gusset, combinedback and face panel, and the positive locking mechanism latched.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the invention illustrating a golf club headcover for irons and wedges with a golf club iron inserted inside, theanti-slip feature, and the positive locking mechanism in place.

FIG. 10 is a partial flattened interior view of the inventionillustrating a golf club head cover for irons and wedges with a golfclub wedge inserted inside and the positive locking mechanism in place.

FIG. 11 is a partial flattened exterior view of the inventionillustrating the hosel and ferrule protection features of the golf clubhead cover for irons and wedges. The view shows the tab, gusset, andwear pad.

FIG. 12 is a partial flattened interior view of the inventionillustrating the anti-slip feature of the golf club head cover for ironsand wedges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 illustrated is the (back view) right side view of agolf club head cover 9 for a golf club wedge 19 with the followingfeatures: hosel and ferrule protector 12, anti-slip component 14,monogrammed enumeration 13, binding 18, back panel 10, and base panel21. FIG. 1 also indicates the location of the positive locking device15, 16, 17 and the gusset 11 of the golf club head cover.

Referring to FIG. 2 illustrated is the (face view) left side view of thegolf club head cover 9 shows the face panel 20, the binding 18 andpositive locking mechanism 15, 16, 17 in the latched position. FIG. 2illustrates how the golf club head cover matches the lie of the golfclub wedge 19 inserted inside.

Referring to FIG. 3 illustrated is the (face view) left side view of agolf club head cover for irons and wedges without the golf club insertedand in the unlatched position with the following features shown indetail: the face panel 20, the positive locking mechanism 15, 16, 17that includes a tab 15 with the male part of the magnetic clasp 16mounted. The female part of the magnetic clasp 17 is shown as it isattached to the face panel of the golf club head cover. FIG. 3 shows howthe base panel 21 with gusset 11 follows the contour of the face panelto the anti-slip component 14 and forms the third part of thethree-piece design as the contour of a golf club iron and wedge. Thebinding 18 is also shown as a continuous piece that circumscribes theopening of the golf club head cover.

Referring to FIG. 4 illustrated is the (top view) front view of the golfclub head cover 9 for irons and wedges with the golf club wedge 19inserted and in the latched position showing in detail how the golf clubhead cover design emulates the loft of a golf club iron and wedge, thepositive locking mechanism comprised of 15, 16, 17 is shown wrappedaround the binding 18 and latched in place to the face panel 20. FIG. 4illustrates how the back panel 10 also matches the loft of the golf clubiron and wedge in addition to the base panel 21.

Referring to FIG. 5 illustrated is the (heel view) rear view of the golfclub head cover 9 for irons and wedges with the golf club wedge 19inserted and in the latched position showing in detail how the facepanel 20, back panel 10, and base panel 21 form the hosel protection 12of the golf club head cover 9 above the gusset 11. FIG. 5 illustrateshow the golf club enumeration 13 and binding 18 will appear when viewedfrom the rear. The latched position of the magnetic clasp comprised of15, 16, and 17 is shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6 illustrated is the (face view) left side view of agolf club head cover 29 for irons and wedges with the golf club iron 23inserted and the positive locking mechanism comprised of 15, 16, 17 inthe latched position with the following features shown in detail: theface panel 20, the positive locking mechanism 15, 16, 17 that includes atab 15 with the male part of the magnetic clasp 16 mounted. FIG. 6 showshow the binding 18 with face panel 20 follows the contour of the golfclubface to the anti-slip component 14 and forms the second part of thetwo-piece design as the contour of a golf club iron and wedge.

Referring to FIG. 7 illustrated is the (back view) right side view of agolf club head cover 29 for a golf club iron 23 with the followingfeatures: hosel and ferrule protector 12, anti-slip component 14,enumeration 13, binding 18, back panel 10, and base panel 21. FIG. 7also indicates the location of the positive locking device 15, 16, 17and the gusset 11 of the golf club head cover base panel 21.

Referring to FIG. 8 illustrated is the (spine view) bottom view of thegolf club head cover 29 for irons and wedges with the golf club iron 23inserted and the head cover in the latched position showing in detailhow the face panel 20, back panel 10, and base panel 21 conform to theshape of the sole of the golf club. The hosel protection 12 of the golfclub head cover 29 above the gusset 11 is formed by combining face 20and back 10 panels of the two piece alternate construction method shown.FIG. 8 illustrates how the golf club enumeration 13 and binding 18 willappear when viewed from the bottom. The latched position of the magneticclasp comprised of 15, 16, and 17 is shown in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9 illustrated is the top view of a golf club headcover for irons and wedges 29 with the golf club iron 23 inserted and inthe latched position with the following features shown in detail: theface panel 20, the positive locking mechanism 15, 16, 17. FIG. 9 showshow the binding 18 follows the contour of the face panel 20 to theanti-slip component 14 of the two-piece design golf club head cover 29.The binding 18 is shown as a continuous piece that circumscribes theopening of the golf club head cover.

Referring to FIG. 10 illustrated is a partial view of the flattened golfclub head cover inside hosel and ferrule protector for irons and wedges.FIG. 10 shows how the gusset 11, wear pad 22, and tab 15 are attached tothe interior of the hosel and ferrule protector and how the binding 18follows its exterior edge. FIG. 10 shows the male part of the magneticclasp 16 attached to the tab 15.

Referring to FIG. 11 illustrated is a partial view of the flattenedoutside of the golf club head cover hosel and ferrule protector 12 forirons and wedges. FIG. 11 shows the exterior of the gusset 11, facepanel 20, back panel 10, and tab 15 with attached magnetic clasps 16 and17, as well as how the binding 18 follows the exterior edge.

Referring to FIG. 12 illustrated is a partial flattened internal view ofthe golf club head cover components that make up the anti-slip mechanism14 for irons and wedges. FIG. 12 shows how the back panel 10 and facepanel 20 and base panel 21 and binding 18 meet and form the anti-slipmechanism 14. The enumeration 13 for the golf club head cover can beseen from the inside of the back panel 10.

1. An iron and wedge golf club head covering system comprising: a. Amultiple panel cover body formed of flexible, non-rigid material, thecover body defining an inner compartment to house the head of an iron orwedge golf club and defining an opening of sufficient size for the headof the iron or wedge golf club to be positioned into and removed fromthe inner compartment, and a positive locking magnetic mechanismpositioned about the opening to secure the iron or wedge golf clubwithin the head cover.
 2. An iron and wedge golf club head coveringsystem as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. The face panel is composed offlexible, non-rigid material that matches the loft and lie angles of theiron and wedge clubface.
 3. An iron and wedge golf club head coveringsystem as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. The rear panel is composed offlexible, non-rigid material that matches the loft and lie angles of theiron and wedge club.
 4. An iron and wedge golf club head covering systemas defined in claim 1, wherein: a. The base panel composed of flexible,non-rigid material connects the face and real panels through a pluralityof intermediate support thread.
 5. An iron and wedge golf club headcovering system as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. A positive lockingmagnetic mechanism is composed of a metallic tab and clasp.
 6. An ironand wedge golf club head covering system as defined in claim 5, wherein:a. The magnetic fastener includes a first magnet disposed in the flapand a second magnet disposed in the fastener region such that the firstand second magnets engage one another to at least partially shut theopening.